Al Majerczyk, Ex-alderman, Police Officer

Aloysius "Al" Majerczyk, a former Southwest Side alderman and police officer, died Friday in Hines Veterans Hospital.

Mr. Majerczyk, a lifelong resident of Chicago, was 65. He had suffered a stroke in December, said his wife, Myrtle.

In 1983, he was the first Democratic elected official in the city to endorse Republican mayoral candidate Bernard Epton over Democrat Harold Washington.

From 1979 to 1987, he represented the 12th Ward, which includes the neighborhoods of Brighton Park and McKinley Park.

"He was an energetic and committed representative of the Southwest Side," said Ald. Edward Burke, who represents the 14th Ward to the south of the 12th.

Burke said Mr. Majerczyk was instrumental in the economic development of parts of the Southwest Side, including a shopping center built with tax-increment financing at 47th Street and Kedzie Avenue.

Mr. Majerczyk was noted for his outspokenness on the City Council floor and his involvement in the rough-and-tumble Chicago political tradition.

"I got knocked a few times, but I did a few knockings, too," he said in 1984.

Mr. Majerczyk served in the Marines during the Korean War. He founded Standard Glass Co. on the Southwest Side in 1959; today the firm is run by one of his sons. He was a Chicago police officer for 19 years, beginning in 1959.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, James, David and Stuart; a daughter, Patricia Osowski; a brother; two sisters; and four grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Archer Funeral Home, 6108 W. Archer Ave. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.